







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| You need to press the button down and turn it right. | |
| I can cook, of course, but only when I feel like it. | |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | |
| This is my boyfriend, Mike. | |
| Australia is very strict with its customs rules. | |
| Hey, what happened? Is everything okay? | |
| Of course, I researched it well, it's 525 metres. | |
| Everything is the same as it's advertised. | |
| I hope it's not the right address! It looks awful. | |
| Good thanks, I'm fine, too. | |
| Do you remember the pub's name? | |
| Hmm.. yes, I need mushrooms, stock, celery... | |
| I have an appointment with the home office for my visa extension. | |
| And sometimes they don't come home for days. | |
| Um.. it could be blue, I don't really remember. | |
| I have no idea... But I hope they have a good excuse! | |
| I don't know, maximum 33? | |
| You know, she is normally an extremely quiet and calm person. | |
| I don't like going to hospitals, either. | |
| Until you just light your cigarette. | |